The 12 Best Drugstore Bronzers of 2021

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You don’t have to go on vacation to get sun-kissed skin—just a couple swipes of bronzer will do the trick. And while that may sound easy enough, we know that finding the right bronzer for your skin tone and price point can be difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled the best drugstore bronzers ranging from light to dark and everything in between. Oh, and did we mention they are all under $25?

Looking for a matte finish to deepen your existing tan? Or is a shimmery powder more what you’re after? Whatever your preference—a full-on tan or just a bit of a healthy glow—these drugstore bronzers will instantly transform dull skin into a luminous I-just-got-back-from-vacation complexion. Simply brush a bit on your cheeks, forehead, and the bridge of your nose, et voilà.

Read on for our picks of the best drugstore bronzers.

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This warm-toned bronzer is a drugstore staple, full stop. Wear semi-sheer for everyday use or layer it on for a deeply bronzed effect. The powder is waterproof and wears for up to 10 hours—just a few of the reasons why we love it so.

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A blend of micro-fine pigments, this golden brown bronzer from Covergirl adds radiance to the skin thanks to a subtle dose of shimmer.

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With five different shades, all perfectly mixed to mimic a real tan, NYX Professional Makeup's matte bronzer gives off a realistic glow.

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Formulated with finely milled pigments and whipped cocoa butter, this bronzer has a super soft matte finish that makes it look (and feel!) much more expensive than it actually is. Plus, it doubles as a contour powder, so the possibilities for elevating your look are endless.

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We're already big fans of Milani's highlighter here at Byrdie, so it's no surprise that this bronzer delivers a similar lit-from-within glow. Baked on Italian terracotta tiles, it comes in three shades and goes on streak-free for a warm, natural finish.

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This cool-toned bronzer is perfect for fair skin tones who are afraid of looking orange. Just make sure not to drop the product (it will lift out of the pan), but at this price point, it's a total steal.

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A beauty-editor favorite, the cushiony creamy texture of this bronzer makes it super blendable, allowing for a lovely natural finish. Plus, it smells delicious.

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Pixi's bronzer in the color Summertime is a great drugstore option for those with fair to light skin. However, we recommend applying said bronzer with a light hand, as a little goes a long way.

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If you're looking for a bronzer that will last from morning till night, try a cream bronzer like W3ll People's stick. Not only does this bronzer have major staying power, but it also blends in for a realistic, sun-kissed finish.

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L'oreal's True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer

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For a sun-kissed glow ASAP, snag this bronzer from L'Oreal, which has a slight shimmer that never looks unnatural or overwhelming. Plus, it's formulated in three shades for light, medium, and deep skin tones.

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Create a healthy glow with this 4-in-1 bronzer compact that is neither dark nor light. Simply add to your face's high points for a glow befitting vacation.

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This sheer bronzing powder offers a buildable natural glow to go from low key to look at me with a few sweeps of your brush. The highly pigmented trio of powders works great as a blush or eyeshadow, and the gold pigment doubles nicely as a highlighter. Users love it for the luminosity and noticeable glow.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough drug store bronzers from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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